THE GRAND THEME OF THE CHRISTIAN PREACHER, 


SERMON 


DELIVERED AT THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH 


~ IN BOSTON, 


AT THE ORDINATION OF THE 


REV. BENJAMIN B. WISNER 


FEB, 21, 1821, 


BY LEONARD WOODS, D. D. 


ABBOT PROF. OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY IN THEOL. SEM. ANDOVER. 


ANDOVER 


PUBLISHED BY FLAGG AND GOULD. 
1821. 


Pamphlet Collection 
Duke Divinity School : 


The following sermon was preached at the Ordination of the Rev. 
Alonzo Phillips in Princeton, Mass. June 7, 1820, and at the Ordina- 
tion of the Rev. Samuel Green, in Reading, Sept. 20, 1820. In com- 
pliance with repeated requests from the church in both those places, the 
Author had promised to publish the sermon, and had just begun to pre- 
pare the copy for the press, when, through the ordering of divine provi- 
dence, vt unexpectedly fell to his lot to preach, with but a short previous 
notice, at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Wisner. 


SERMON, 


1 Cor. u. 2. 


FOR I DETERMINED NOT TO KNOW ANY THING AMONG YOU, SAVE JESUS 


CHRIST, AND BIM CRUCIFIED. 


Trese words disclose to us the very heart of the Apostle 
respecting his great work, as a minister of Christ. He had 
been familiarly acquainted with all the rites of the Jewish 
religion, and had shown them the respect of a constant 
and punctual observance. He had been acquainted with the 
doctrines of the Pharisees, and, by his own experience, had 
learned all that was salutary in their effects on the mind. 
He had been acquainted too with whatever was of any 
worth in the morality and theology of the Gentiles. But 
when he went to preach to the Corinthians, he determined 
to know nothing, but Jesus Christ and him crucified. 


We are not to suppose, brethren, that the Apostle, 
executing this determination, confined his preaching to the 
single fact, that Jesus of Nazareth died on the cross. 
Undoubtedly he preached the same system of religion in 


d 


one place, as in another; and taught the same doctrines, 
substantially, in his preaching, as in his writings. These 
two things being admitted, we can easily determine what 
he meant by confinng himself thus exclusively to Jesus 
Christ and him crucified. The doctrine of the cross was 
the basis of the religion he preached ; had an mseparable 
connexion with all its peculiar doctrines, and an mfluence 
upon all its precepts; and gave christianity its distinguish- 
ing character. Accordingly, the Apostle’s determination 
was, as we know his practice was, not only to announce 
the simple truth, that Christ was crucified, but, as connect- 
ed with this, to teach all the doctrines and all the duties 


of the christian religion. 


It is in obedience to an unexpected call of divme prov- 
idence, that I address you, my respected hearers, on this m- 
teresting and auspicious occasion. And I should think my- 
self happy indeed, could I address you in a manner worthy 
of the subject 1 have chosen, and of the solemnities in 
which we are here engaged. But I indulge the persuasion, 
that you will receive with candour, what I shall offer you 
im sincerity. I well know where I stand, and what distin- 
guished ministers of Christ, from generation to generation, 
have preached to this beloved church, that momentous, 
holy doctrine, which my text has mtroduced to your no- 
tice. I know too m whose name I speak, and to whom I 
must give account. Impressed with such considerations as 
these, I shall proceed to illustrate as justly as Iam able, the 
high obligation of all ministers of the gospel to adopt the same 


5 


resolution with the Apostle, as to the grand theme of’ their 
preaching. 


The Apostle lived indeed almost two thousand years 
ago, and the circumstances of the world are now, in many 
respects, very different from what they were then. But 
truth is always the same. Amid all the changes which 
have taken place in the world, God is the same ; and as to 
the principal traits of his character, as well as his most im- 
portant relations, man is the same. There must therefore 
be substantially the same reasons, why ministers should 
now adopt the determination of Paul, declared in the text, 
as there was in the first age of christianity. 


_ The general reason by which I shall evince the pro- 
priety of this determination, is, that the doctrine of Christ 
crucified is so important, that rt is justly entitled to be made 
the principal theme of the Christian preacher. 


My design is to show that this doctrme is highly im- 
portant, first, in itself; secondly, on account of its relation 
to the character and government of God, and to the ruin 
and recovery of man; and thirdly, on account of its 
moral influence. 


First. The doctrine is important and interesting in 
itself’ When the Apostles went forth from Judea, and 
told the wonderful story of the sufferings and death of the 
Son of God; it must have produced feelings of the high- 


6 


est astonishment. It is equally astonishing now. It has 
lost none of its importance, and none of its power to excite 
an interest in the human mind. It has mdeed been long 
known in the world. But to the man who begins to ap- 
prehend things aright, it is always new. And however 
long we may have heard it preached, and however well 
we may have understood it ; it is always interesting to us, 
—more and more interesting, the more it is known. While 
reading the history of Christ’s suffermgs ; while hearing the 
doctrine of the cross preached ; and while attending that 
holy ordinance, in which his death is set forth; Christians 
frequently feel an interest like what they would feel, if 
the gospel were now for the first time proclaimed, or if 
the scene of Christ’s suffermgs were actually before their 


eyes. 


I say, the simple truth, that the Son of God died on the 
cross, has a greatness which astonishes. For we are to 
consider, my brethren, who was that glorious personage, 
whom the Scriptures reveal as THE SON OF GOD; 
that it was he, who was before all things, by whom 
all things were made, and by whom all things consist ; 
he, whom all the angels worship; he who is over all, 
God blessed forever.* What could be more astonishing, 
than to see a being of such preemment dignity, in such a 
condition! The Sun in the firmament could not shine, 
when he who formed its light, was dying on the cross. 


* See Col.i. 16,17. Johni. 3. Heb, i.6. Rom, ix. 5. 


7 


The earth trembled to see him on whose power it rest- 
ed, suspended in disgrace. With these indications of the 
natural world agree the feelings of the human mind. 
Who can, without strong emotions, contemplate the scene 
on Calvary, where one, so exalted and glorious, descended 
so low, and where one, so innocent and holy, suffered so 
much, and suffered in such a manner! Be it so that 
we have heard of it and spoken of it a thousand 
times. Its importance remains the same. It is and al- 
ways must be, a great, astonishing event, that the son oF 
cop suffered and died. Is the death of a king or the fall 
of an empire thought to be a great event, and worthy of 
public notice? But how trifling and msignificant is such 
an event, compared with the crucifixion of the son oF cop, 
the savVIOUR OF THE WORLD. 


Seconpty. Our doctrine is highly important on ac- 
count of its relation to the character and government of God. 
and to the run and recovery of man. 


Its first and most interesting relation is to the divine char- 
acter. There can be nothing, my hearers, in the whole circle 
of knowledge, that is of any importance, compared with the 
knowledge of the everlasting Ged. To such creatures as 
we are, it is the most momentous of all inquiries; What 
2s the character of Jenovan? What is the disposition of 
that Being, in whose hand our life is, and who has power to 
save and to destroy? And what are we to expect from the 
administration of his government 2 These Inquiries respecting 


8 


the moral perfections of God are answered far more clearly 
and perfectly by the Cross of Christ, than by all the creation. 
The heayens and the earth do indeed declare his glory. 
But they speak a language feeble and obscure, compared 
with what we hear from Calvary. “No man hath seen 
God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the 
bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” The inyis- 
ible God has here revealed himself. He has chosen this 
method, above all others, to make known his spotless ho- 


Iness, his immutable justice, his abounding mercy. 


A world rebels against its Creator. A world is lost. 
A world is to be saved; and to be saved by God himself, 
who only has either a right to propose the salvation of smners, 
or power to effect it. But the world that is to be saved, 
must not be left in ignorance of the God who saves, or of. 
the manner in which he saves. It must be known what are 
the feelings of God respecting the law which has been bro- 
ken, the authority which has been disregarded, and the 
iniquity which has been committed. Anact of infinite mer- 
cy is to be accomplished m behalf of transgressors. But 
they must not be left to put a wrong construction upon 
that act of mercy, or to misrepresent or injure the char- 
acter of him who shows mercy. Preparatory to the ex- 
ercise of mercy towards a rebellious world, there must be 
a developement of Ged’s character ; such a developement, 
as will forever prevent the possibility of their supposing, 
that his pure eye can behold iniquity ; or that he can give 
any countenance to sin; or that he is wanting in justice, 


9 


or holiness, or truth, or any other attribute of a perfect 
moral Governour. 


All this was effected by the death of the Lord Jesus. 
When we behold him, who was holy, harmless, and un- 
defiled, wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our 
imiquities, and dymg on the cross for us; we see that the 
eternal God is just. We see that he perfectly hates sin, 
while he loves the immortal souls of sinners. O, what 
manner of love! And O, what manner of justice! A 
wise father may interpose in some case of disorder in his 
house, and exercise such a mixture of authority and ten- 
derness, of justice and benevolence, that his household 
will say, they never knew his character before. And in 
a time of rebellion in an empire, a king, who has betore 
been known by his subjects only at a distance, may exhib- 
it himself to them in such an act of wisdom and benevolence, 
—may evince such a regard to the public good, such jus- 
tice and equity, and yet such gentleness and forgiveness, 
as will produce higher esteem and admiration for him in 
the hearts of his people, than has been produced by any 
other act of his government. And in the history of his 
life, that act of wisdom and goodness will always be ad- 
verted to, as forming the prominent feature of his reign, 
and as illustrating what was before obscure, and adding 
new beauty to what was amiable, in his whole character.* 


* As the Author, just before writing this sermon, had read, with 
peculiar satisfaction, the Discourses of Chalmers, he was almost insen- 
sibly led, in a few places, to adopt something of that writer’s phrase- 
ology and mode of illustration. 


2 


10 


In the work of redemption, the King eternal has ac- 
complished a work of such wisdom, and righteousness, and 
goodness. This work makes the clearest manifestation of 
what is in the heart of God, and so is in the highest de- 
gree glorious. But all the glory of redemption shines 
with its purest, brightest lustre, in the cross of Christ. 
So that, whoever would obtain the most exalted views of 
God’s moral glory, must fix his eyes on Calvary. And if 
any man undertakes to describe the ‘character of God, 
without a primary respect to the cross of Christ, he omits 
the grand display of that character; he conceals the 
principal feature of its excellence. 


These remarks rest not on abstract speculation, but 
on plain fact. ‘The humble Christian, who studies the 
doctrme of the cross, gets better views of the moral per- 
fection of God, than can be derived from the whole crea- 
tion. Though he may know but little else; he knows 
that which nothing can equal in excellence. He may in 
deed confine his attention to the region of Calvary. But 
Calvary is infinitely dear to angels and men. It is dlummn 
ated with more of the lustre of divine excellence, than all 
the earth beside; and .the knowledge, which can be had 
of God in every other way, is foolishness, compared with 
what is learned from the cross. 


In order to obtain an adequate view of this subject, 
we must consider too, that the grand movement of divine 
wisdom, exhibited on Calvary, though it occupied so short 


11 


a time, will be followed by everlasting consequences. It 
“stood in connexion with all the subsequent conduct of God 
respecting human beings. It gave a new aspect to his 
whole’administration toward this revolted province of his 
empire. It was the begmming of an endless series of di- 
vine acts, which will continually reflect new lustre on the 
divine character. Millions of ages hence, intelligent crea- 
tures will see, that the highest and most endearing mani- 
festations of the goodness of God have a reference to 
Christ crucified. From that event resulted measures in 
the divine government, before unknown. A glory un- 
speakable; a glory exceeding in splendour and endearment 
“all other glory; a glory, which will be viewed with in- 
creasing delight forever, began to shine forth in the cross 


of Christ. 


But we must consider, a little more particularly, the 
importance of this doctrine on account of its relation 
to the law and government of God. The law has been vi- 
olated. All men are transgressors. ‘The world heth in 
wickedness. The law pronounces a curse upon them, 
and dooms them to perpetual banishment from the pres- 
ence of God. The law is holy, and just, and good, and 
God is its almighty Vindicator and Guardian. Here we 
behold the device of infinite wisdom. God looks upon 
perishing sinners with compassion, and determines to pro- 
vide salvation for them. And that this may be done 
without degrading the honour of his law, and without 
yielding any one principle of his righteous government, he 


12 


sends his only begotten Son to die in their stead. By this 
wonderful expedient, he vindicates the law, without exe- 
cuting its penalty. By this he makes known his right- 
eousness as Lawgiver and Judge, while he shows all the 
tenderness of pity, and all the fulness of grace, as a father 
and friend to sinners. And now, when we look upon the 
transaction on Calvary, we see, that, while transgressors 
are pardoned, the divine law is supported. We see that 
the justice of God never bends, and knows no compromise. 
We are impressed with the majesty of that government, 
which is thus watchfully and effectually guarded, by an 
omniscient and almighty God. We behold the awful 
unchangeableness of that just penalty of the law, which 
cannot be given up, even in favour of God’s only begotten 
Son. In short the intelligent creation see it written in 
living characters on the cross of Christ, that the law is 
just and good; that God is its ommpotent friend, and wiil 
give eternal efficacy to its principles. And I must add, 
that this manifestation of the justice and immutability of 
the law, and this vindication of its honour, is greatly supe- 
riour to any other, which has come to the knowledge of 
man. It is superiour, because, though it has all the dread- 
ful severity of a direct execution, it is mingled with unpar- 
alleled kindness and grace. It invests the moral govern- 
ment of God, with an awful majesty, which makes _all its 
subjects tremble, and at the same time with a benignity 
and tenderness, which attract their highest love and con- 
fidence. From the memorable day, on which the Son of 
God was crucified, that holy government was established 


13 


on a basis never to be moved; all its principles were ren 
dered gloriously efficacious, and all its ends perfectly se- 
cured. Henceforth there can be no doubt m the unt 
verse, that the Lawgiver is just and good, and no expecta- 
tion of impunity msin. However the grace of God may 
abound im the salvation of rebels, no one can ever think 
that God’s grace, thus exercised, tarnishes the beauty or 
lessens the authority of his righteous law. 


The importance of our doctrine will appear also, from 
its relation to man—to his rum by sin, and his salyation by 
‘grace. In the moral state of man, we find the only occa- 
sion of Christ’s suffermgs. The obvious conclusion is, that 
man must have been sunk low in guilt and ruin, to need 
such a movement in the divme admmistration, for his de- 
liverance ; that the barrier, which excluded him from 
heaven, was indeed a mighty barrier, to require such an 
effort of infinite compassion and infinite power to remove 
it. When we look to the cross, and see the blessed Im- 
manuel suffermg and dying for men, we are as well satisfi- 
ed what their character is, and what they deserve at the 
hand of justice, as if we should see them enduring, mn 
their own persons, the dreadful weight of divine wrath. 
Indeed, the evidence here given of our guilt and wretch- 
edness js stronger, than could be given, by the literal 
execution of the penalty of the law. He who looks to 
Calvary, beholds a mightier and more astonishing event in 
the divine government, an indication of deeper guilt in our 
race, and a clearer display of the abhorrence with which 


14 


God regards our conduct, than if he should look into the 
world of misery, where sinful men suffer their own just 
desert. Whatever difficulties may attend this subject, it 
is undoubtedly a matter of fact, that the most heart-affect- 
ing views, which men ever obtain, of their own woful apos- 
tacy, and of their criminal, wretched, helpless state, are 
derived from the contemplation of the cross of Christ. 


This doctrine has an mseparable:connexion with the 
salvation of smners; with their forgiveness, their sanctifi- 
cation, and their eternal happmess in heaven. When 
we behold Christ dying for sinners; we are at once sat- 
isfied, that they may obtain salvation. His death is an 
expression of God’s mercy towards them. And then 
the animating conclusion of the Apostle follows; “He who 
spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, 
how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ?” 
He who performed the greatest possible act of benevolence, 
must surely be willing to perform all other benevolent 
acts. We here see not only a public proof of the readi- 
ness of God to show mercy, but the manner in which that 
mercy can be exercised, consistently with the order and 
happmess of his moral kingdom. We see that God can 
be just, while he justifies those who believe; that a ecru- 
cified Saviour procured pardon, and the spirit of sanctifi- 
cation, and all needed blessings for time and eternity ; in 
a word, that the sacrifice of Christ has put salvation with- 
in the reach of all the world, and actually secures it to 
all who repent. 


15 


Tmmepty. Our doctrine is highly important on ac- 
count of its moral tendency. 


It plainly results from the nature of the doctrine, that 
it rust have a mighty influence upon the human mind. 
There is nothing which can produce actions of a moral 
nature in men, but motives, or rational considerations. If 
we would produce any affection or action in men, consider- 
ed as moral agents, we direct their views to moral objects. 
We tell them, that their glorious Creator has given them 
a law to regulate their actions; that he abhors sm, and 
will pour out his wrath upon those who commit it; that 
he loves holiness, and will reward it with eternal 
life; that he isa being of infinite benevolence, and 
by admmistermg a righteous government, will pro- 
mote the endless happmess of his kingdom. These, 
and similar considerations we always exhibit, to sway 
the conduct of men. These are the motives, which 
are suited to influence, and actually do influence moral 
agents. Now if these motives, as they are presented by 
a moral government in its simplest form, are suited to m- 
fluence moral agents; much more, when they are present- 
ed in the doctrine of the cross. It is no difficult task to 
convince men, by natural reason, that God is just and good, 
and that he will mamtam a righteous government by re- 
warding the obedient, and punishing the disobedient. 
They often are convinced of all this, and acknowledge it. 
And they ought to acknowledge it with deep veneration 
andlove. But in the minds of apostate men, no vener-. 


¢ 


16 


ation or love can be found. ‘They contemplate the di- 
vine perfections and government without emotion. Their 
moral feelings are benumbed by sin; and not only the dis- 
plays of God in the natural world, but the blackness and 
darkness and tempest of Sinai leave them stupidly inatten- 
tive. But the justice and goodness of God, and the par- 
amount authority of his law, as exhibited in Christ’s death, 
acquire a new and irresistible power. They arrest the 
attention of sinners, and make them tremble at the pros- 
pect of a future retribution. But this is not all. The 
doctrine of the cross does more than awaken sinners, and 
make them tremble. It shows them the infinite compas- 
sion of God. It shows them that their sins may be par- 
doned ; that God is a kind, forgiving father, ready to em- 
brace them in the arms of his mercy, and notwithstanding 
all their rebellion, to make them heirs of glory. Sucha 
display of divine love melts the heart, and leads to re- 
pentance. 


This, brethren, I say, is not imagination or conjecture, 
but fact. In the various instances of repentance which 
- take place in this apostate world, it will be found, that 
the grand considerations, which the Holy Spirit usually 
employs, to mfluence sinners, are derived from the cross 
of Christ. The divine truths, which are made instrumen- 
tal i forming them to a new character, are those which 
are comprised in the doctrine of Christ crucified. And 
the same divine truths are the motives, which control 
the affections and lives of believers. When they look to 


17 


the cross of Christ, they behold those manifestations of 
the righteousness and benevolence of God, which most 
powerfully stimulate them to seek higher degrees of eve- 
ry christian grace. And so by the cross of Christ, the 
world is crucified to them, and they to the world. It is 
this, which frees them from the dominion ef sim, subdues 
their worldly spirit, kindles gratitude and zeal, gives them 
hope when they are ready to despond, fortifies them 
against temptation, and by degrees conforms their whole 
character to the perfect standard of God's law. 


Such is the practical influence, which the dectrme of 
the cross has possessed and ever will possess over the 
minds of men. Accordingly we should néver cease to 
employ the doctrine, as the grand mstrument of moving 
their affections, and guiding their conduct. There is re- 
ally no other view of divine things, which is suited to have 
any decisive influence upon the human mind, or is likely 
to be of any certain efficacy in promoting the cause of 
virtue and piety m the world. This is the grand secret 
of a spiritual, holy life. And let me say, brethren, this doc- 
trine has the greatest effect, when alone,—unincumbered 
by any means which human wisdom can devise. What- 
ever is to be accomplished mm the christian life, the cross 
of Christ is the means. If then I should behold any of 
my fellow christians ready to indulge the loveef the 
world, or pride, or any sinful feeling, or to do any sinful 
action; I would-not go about to dissuade them by argu- 

3 


18 


ments, which unassisted reason suggests. No. I would di- 
rect them to something of more certain efficacy ; to some 
thing that affords a deeper remedy. I would say to 
them, look up and see the cross. There see the holiness, 
and justice, and love of God. There see the excellence 
of his law, the evil of sm, the worth of the soul. See 
every thing, that can affect, and melt, and purify the heart, 
and make sin, in all its forms, an object of detestation. 
This, christians, is the great argument I would employ, to 
check the power of temptation, and to strengthen and el- 
evate every christian virtue. And if this does not. prevail, 
nothing will. Brethren, if the human race are ever to 
be turned from their iniquities, and brought to love and 
obey their Creator, it must be by the influence of this 
doctrme. There is no other way. Every attempt we 
may make to impress the minds of men with real holiness, 
or to regulate their moral actions, will come to nothing, 
unless we present the doctrine of Christ crucified clearly 
_before them, and bring them to feel its transforming power. 
Here human reason and philosophy are of no account. He 
who uses them to save men from sin, uses them mm vain. 
Christ crucified is the power of God to salvation. 


But on this occasion I ought to show particularly, how 
ministers of the gospel are likely to be affected by the 
doctrine of the cross. What then was its influence upon 
the Apostle himself? This will appear, if you consider 
the difference between his character before he knew 
Christ, and his character after. Paul was once protid and 


19 


malignant, a persecutor, a murderer. But his knowledge 
of Christ crucified had a sovereign power to subdue his 
pride and malice, and to beget m him deep humility, ar- 
dent desire for the glory of God, and a willingness to endure 
all things for the salvation of men. F rom the happy 
hour that he first knew the doctrine of the cross, he lived 
another life. Under the animating, comforting influence 
of this doctrine, he endured labours and sufferings, not to 
be described, for the salyation of sinners. And has the 
cross of Christ lost that sovereign virtue, which it had in 
the primitive ages? Is it not able to produce the same 
effects now, as it did then? ‘There is not a single disor- 
der of our hearts, brethren which it cannot remedy. 
_ There is no christian or ministerial virtue, which it cannot 
help us to attain; and no duty, which it cannot strengthen 
us to perform. If we make Christ crucified the great 
subject of our faith, and of our preaching ;. if we hold it 
in such estimation, that we can say, we know nothing else ; 
it will fill us with the fruits of mghteousness. It will 
bring all the motives to love, and purity, and universal good- 
ness, to exert their highest energy upon us. It will adorn 
and elevate our character, and render us extensively use- 


ful to the church of Christ. 


If we adopt the determination to know nothing but 
Jesus Christ and him crucified, it will fix our eye steadily 
upon an example of’ consummate excellence. And such an ex- 
ample must, in all respects, have the most salutary influ- 
ence. Can it be that christians will allow themselves 


* 


20 


in sin, while their eye is fixed on one who was holy, 

harmless, undefiled? Can we indulge pride in our hearts, 

while daily conversant with one so humble? Can we seek 

the world’s honour, while we behold the King of glory 
covered with shame ? What music can it be to our ears, 
to hear the praises of our worthless names mingle them- 

selves with the reproaches cast upon our blessed Lord ? 

While we have before our eyes that beloved Saviour, who 

became poor for our sakes, and counted all earthly pleas- 

ures as the dust under his feet, can we give ourselves up 

to the pursuit of riches and pleasures? With such anex- 

ample of patience and silent meekness before us,ean we 

indulge an impatient, resentful temper? or a spirit of 
anger and revenge, with an example of such compassion and 

forgiveness ? Can we foster a spirit of censoriousness, bitter- 

ness, and contention, when we behold in our Lord such 

quietness, and gentleness, and candour? Can we seek té 

gratify any grovelling desire, or pursue’any worthless inter- 

est, when we see our Saviour and Guide settmg his heart 

upon an object so excellent, as the eternal glory of God, 

and the salvation of a ruined world? And can we 
ever shrink back from sufferings, or be discouraged by dif- 

ficulties, when we behold an example of resolution, 

which yielded to no difficulties, but kept fast hold of its 

object, even amid the sufferings of the ~ and the 

cross ? 


Suppose a minister of the gospel were to be habitu- 
ally conversant by faith with the crucified Saviour, and 


Se 


21 


were to have before him, from day to day, the astomshing 
exhibition he made of the love, the holmess, and the jus- 
tice of God, the wretched condition of simners, and the 
divine grace which abounds in their salvation. Suppose 
he were to study, and preach, and visit his flock, and _per- 
form all his ministerial duties, with Christ crucified in live- 
ly view. What effect would it have upon hm? With 
what spirit would he pursue his studies? In what man- 
ner would he preach, and converse, and visit the people 
of his charge? How would he treat immortal souls, 
perishing in sm? and the church redeemed by precious 
blood ?—O! that we could see the power of the cross more © 
fully displayed in our own ministry, and in that of all who 
sustain the sacred office. 


I have now endeavoured to exhibit the vast import- 
ance of our doctrine, first, in itself; secondly, on account 
of its relation to the character and government of God, 
and to the ruin and recovery of man; and thirdly, on ac- 
count of its influence on the hearts and. lives of Christians. 
All this importance of the doctrme, to which you have for 
a short time turned your thoughts, but which is in truth 
above our highest conceptions, I have urged as a reason 
for our adopting the same determination with the Apostle, 
and making Christ crucified the grand theme of our 
preaching. 


The subject, on which I have now ventured to speak, 
has, I am sensible, «a depth, which the understanding of 


% 


22 


an apostle could not fathom—a length, and breadth, and 
height, surpassing the knowledge even of an angel. On 
this stupendous subject I have, with entire frankness, ex- 
pressed to you the best views I have been able to attain. 
Permit me now, brethren, with equal frankness, to exhibit 
some of those reflections, which the subject and the occa- 
sion naturally suggest. 


1. It seems impossible to discuss such a subject as 
this, without reflecting on the great mistake of those min- 
isters, who substitute any thing whatever, for the doctrine 
of Christ crucified; who make it their business to inculcate 
a superficial morality, or a metaphysical theology, or some- 
thing else, which results from the light of mere human 
reason, and only subserves the welfare of human soci 
ety; or who put some part of christiamty in the place 
of Christ crucified, or at least, teach the Christian religion 
in such a mamner, that the doctrine of the cross is never 
made prominent, and no one would ever suppose from their 
mode of treating it, that it was a doctrine of any conse- 
quence in the system. Those to whom these remarks 
apply, never advert to the fact of Christ’s death, or to 
the atonement he made, or to any part of his great work, as 
being fundamental in the system of dive truth? ‘The 
death of Christ has never taken hold on their feelings, as 
a measure of preeminent glory in the divine admiistra- 
tion, They can say all they have to say, on the character 
of God and of man, on the principles of the divine law, on 
the mercy of God, and on all other subjects, which 


“<= 


23 


come within the compass of their preaching, without ever 
referring to the doctrine of the cross, as of any material 
consequence. Perhaps they may name the thing; but 
their views and their preaching are very nearly what they 
would be, if it were wholly left out, and wholly for- 
gotten. 


Now, brethren, would you turn away the eyes of men 
from the highest display; ever yet made, of the moral ex- 
cellence of God? Would you render them insensible to 
the clearest mamfestations of ther own. guilt and 
wretchedness, and hinder them from accepting the 
method, which the Sovereign of the world has cho- 
sen, to extend mercy to sinners? Would you blot out the 
distnguishing glory of the gospel, and deprive it of that 
which constitutes its chief worth in the eyes of angels 
and men ?—If you would do all this, then pass by the 
doctrine of the cross, and make up your system of religious 
instruction, both as to faith and practice, without regard to 
the blood of Christ. This will effectually blunt the edge 
of diye truth, so that it shall give no wound to the con- 
sciences of men. This will prevent the conviction and 
trembling fear of the wicked. This will make the gos- 
pel such, that men may hear it from year to year, and 
from age to age, and yet remain in the unbroken slum- 


ber of spiritual death. 


| But O brethren, partakers of this high and heayen- 
ly calling, if you have the holy desire of seeing the eter- 


24 7 


nal God glorified; then behold yourselves, and exhibit to 
others, the scene of Calvary, where the glory of all God's 
attributes shines forth with its purest lustre. If you cher- 
ish the feelings of loyal subjects, and desire that the law 
of God may be vindicated and honoured in the view of in- 
telligent creatures, and may be maintamed in all its author- 
ity and influence ; then exhibit the cross of Christ, which 
effectually ‘supports the law, and secures it from dishonour, 
while its penalty is remitted im behalf of the penitent 
When you behold that spectacle, which is so mteresting 
and moving to the true minister of Christ, the spectacle of 
a simner filled with shame and distress, ready to smk un- 
der the weight of his guilt, and struggling to get release 
from the bondage of corruption; if you would point him to 
the only source of hope, and deliverance, and joy, point 
him to the blood of Christ. If you would see men adorn- 
ed with holiness; exhibit that doctrine, which contains 
the most powerful motives to holiness. Exhibit all the 
truths and precepts of religion, in close alliance with the 
doctrine of the cross, and as deriving from it their princi- 
pal efficacy. This doctrine, if the apostle’s judgment may 
be relied upon, is the grand principle m the system of 
christianity. Leave out this, and the whole system, as to 
its character and tendency, is radically a different thing. 


Consider, then, Secondly, the essential loss, occasioned 
by that theology, which sets aside the doctrine of Christ 
crucified, and lays down the moral precepts of the Bible, 
or a part of them, as constituting the christian religion. 


25 


This lax system occasions great loss to those ministers 
who embrace it, by depriving them of the happmess of 
present success, and clouding their prospect of a future 
reward. It occasions great loss to immortal souls, by 
withholding that doctrme, which God has appointed to be 
the principal means of converting them from sm; by refus- 
ing to teach them the only way of life, and leaving them 
either to a guilty quiet, or a hopeless sorrow. It occa- 
sions great loss to the church, by obscuring its glory, and 
taking away the means of its increase. And it occasions 
loss to the christian religion, by expunging its characteris- 
tic excellence, and by distorting and deranging those fea- 
tures of truth which it may suffer to remain. Now is all 
this a matter of no moment? Can we look with indif- 
ference upon the prevalence of that theology, which would 
turn away our eyes from the cross of Christ? Can we 
think it a small evil, which should give us no uneasiness ? 
No, brethren; it is an evil of alarming magnitude ; 
an evil which threatens desolation to the church; 
an evil which extends its fatal mfluence into eternity. 
It robs our holy religion of its efficacy and _ glory. 
It dishonours God, by concealing or undervaluing the 
brightest display of his moral perfections. It hin- 
ders, or strives to hinder the salvation of smners. By 
taking away the only successful instrument of bringing 
men to obey the gospel, it cuts off all prospect of extend- 
ing the reign of Christ. Such, brethren, in my serious 
apprehension, is the eyil occasioned by the prevalence of 


4 


26 


any scheme of religion, whatever may be its form, and 
whatever other truths it may seem to maintain, if it denies 
or omits the doctrine of Christ crucified. | Wherever any 
scheme of this character gets footing, the glory of the 
gospel is departed, and souls perish in their sins, because 
there is no one to lead them to the foot of the cross. If 
then we have hearts to feel for the glory of God; if we 
have any pity for the souls of men, or any desire for the 
welfare of the church, we should deplore the errours of 
the present day. And you will keep in mind, that the 
great effort of errour, at this day, is not to oppose the 
Christian religion by name, but to free it from those doc- 
trines, which offend the proud, alarm the impenitent, and 
forbid men to glory in the presence of God. This defec- 
tive, spurious system we ought, brethren, to deplore, not 
because it stands against our opinions, or our party ; but 
because it deceives and ruins immortal souls; and be- 
cause it undermines that system of truth, which honours 
God our Saviour, and is destined to renovate the world: 


Who that has learned his religion from the Bible, 
will ever tell us, that we overrate, or can overrate the 
doctrine of Christ crucified? Who will attempt to 
make us ashamed of this? Ashamed we may be of 
ourselyes, and of one another. But never can we be 
ashamed of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. We em- 
brace it as our life. God forbid that we should glory in 
any thing else. Take away from us what you will; only 
leave us this holy, heavenly doctrme. It is the basis of 


; 27 


our eternal hopes, the spring of our joys, the glory of our 
religion. In the best days of New Encxanp, it was to all 
her ministers, the grand theme of preaching, and of all her 
churches, the chief’ corner stone. And so brethren it will 
be. We make no empty boast. The mouth of the 
Lord hath spoken it ; and the steady motion of the heavens 
is not more certain, than the accomplishment of his word. 
God will give us better days. His spirit will be copious- 
ly poured out upon our churches and Colleges, upon our 
cities, and our country. Christians will grow in grace. A 
host of faithful ministers will be raised up, whose ruling pas- 
sion shall be love to Christ,—who shall publish the glad t- 
dings, and extend far and wide the triumphs of the cross. 
Converts shall be numerous as the drops of morning dew. 
The everlasting gospel shall no more be a savour of death 
unto death. Hostility agamst its heavenly doctrines shall no 
more lift up its head. The glorious reign of Christ shall 
come. All the ends of the earth shall look to him and be 
saved, and a world of ransomed sinners join in songs of 


praise. The Lord will hasten it in his time. 


To you, my dear brother, this subject, and this ocea- 
- sion must be deeply interesting. You are now to be set 
apart to the most sacred, the most honourable, the most 
delightful office. And in this office, you are permitted of 
heaven to occupy the place of a long succession of able 
and faithful ministers, who now rest from their labours; 
particularly of our dear lamented brother, who recently 
finished his work, and whose name will long be precious 


28 


to his people, and to his brethren in the ministry. In this 
honourable station, and in connexion with this beloved soci- 
ety, you will, we doubt not, make it your great business to 
preach Christ crucified ; to make known his glorious char- 
acter, his atomng blood, and the unsearchable riches of 
his grace. What have you to do with the wisdom of 
this world, which cometh to nought? with the excellency 
of speech ? with the enticing words of human eloquence ? 
with the fineries of learning, or the arts of popularity ? 
Let your people see, and let all the churches see, that 
you determine to know nothing among them, save Jesus 
Chr'st and him crucified. Let them see that, while you 
teach all the truths and all the duties of religion, you 
teach them as Paul did, with your eye turned to the 
cross. The doctrine of Christ Crucified was a subject 
great enough for an Apostle; and why should any of us 
search for a greater? Christianity, my brother, is best 
alone,—pure from all mixture of human errour and human 
passion. Let its dive simplicity ever charm your heart, 
while its sublimity and glory fill you with astonishment 
and rapture. Even in this metropolis, where the splen- 
dours of wealth, the refinements of literature, and the en- 
chantments of fashionable errour present so many tempta- 
tions to those who bear the sacred office; show that a 
minister of the gospel, by the help of God, can preach and 
live, as the apostle did. Better be any thing, than a mi 
ister here, unless you preach affectionately, discreetly and 

boldly, the doctrine of the cross. And let me say, my* 
dear brother, that you need the influence of this doctrine 


29 


to subdue the evils of your own heart, and support you 
under the trials of the ministry. If at any time it fall to 
your lot to suffer injuries; look to Christ crucified, and 
learn to forgive. Be so imbued with the spirit of Christ, 
that whatever reproaches, or slanders, or personal abuses 
may come upon you from ungodly men, you will meditate 
no recompense but endeavours to do them good, and prayer 
to God that they may be saved. Should you begin to 
sink under affliction, to be weary of your labours, or to be 
discouraged for want of success; look to him who 
went about doing good, and was obedient and faithful 
unto death, and learn patience and perseverance. 
Should your heart ever tempt you to conceal the 
‘truth, or to remit your efforts in the mmistry, for 
the sake of gaming the honours of the world, or shun- 
ning its reproaches; look to him, who counted worldly 
honours less than nothing, and willingly endured the cross, 
despisng the shame. Should you lose sight of God, and 
walk in darkness; look up and see the light of the knowl- 
edge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 
Should you ever be oppressed with the weight of your 
guilt, and begin to be distressed with the apprehension that 
your sins are too great to be forgiven, and that at last, af 
ter all your privileges, your hopes and labours, you may 
lose your own soul; behold the Lamb of God, which 
takes away the sin of the world. And whatever may be 
the condition of your flock, direct them to the same glo 
rious object. Teach them to forget you, and look to Je- 
sus. If you would enliven the graces of this church; if 


30 


you would excite its members to love one another, to be 
feryent in spirit, and to rejoice in hope; present before 
them in all its beauty, and in all its purifying, transforming 
power, the doctrme of the cross, Present the same be- 
fore impenitent sinners, to show them their guilt and their 
doom; and before convinced, penitent sinners, to show 
them the only way of salyation—This church rests on 
the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ 
himself being the chief corner stone. The Christians, to 
whom you are called to minister, love the doctrine of the 
cross. It is their refuge and their joy. They have 
built their hopes for etermty on Christ’s atoning blood, 
and received of his fulness. We trust they love him so 
sincerely and ardently, that they are willing to endure all 
things for his sake. Both in prosperity, and in adversity, 
they have been near our hearts. And in the happiness 
they this day experience, thousands participate. God grant — 
that you may. ever come to them in the fulness of the 
blessmg of the gospel of Christ. God grant, you may 
have the joy of seeing parents and children pressing to the 
cross. And may he, who stooped down from his throne 
to die for men, and who has all power in heayen and earth, 
graciously dwell in this place. Here may the doctrine of 
Christ crucified never be forgotten. Here may his grace 
abound, his church flourish, and his infinite glory shine 
forth, while the sun and the moon endure. Amen. 


Ait 
ye 
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J tis at) 


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